PRESS RELEASES

Stay up to date with information about syphilis and other STDs in Tompkins County.

For more information contact:Frank Kruppa or Theresa Lyczko at 274-6600

Increase in Sexually Transmitted Infections

(Ithaca, NY – August 21, 2015) The Tompkins County Health Department reports a local increase of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including syphilis, gonorrhea and Chlamydia. From January to July 2015, there have been 2 cases of syphilis, 38 cases of gonorrhea and 201 cases of Chlamydia. There have been several reported cases co-infected with multiple STIs including HIV. STI cases in both females and males have ranged in age from 18 to 55 years. Many syphilis, gonorrhea and Chlamydia cases have reported anonymous sexual encounters arranged through internet hook-ups and dating phone apps. As a result of the anonymous encounter, they may not be able to notify sex partners of exposure.

STIs can be spread through oral, anal, and vaginal sex and can be present without symptoms. So you can’t “tell by looking.” Get peace of mind, get tested and use protection to safeguard your sexual health and well-being. Go to the Peace of Mind website www.tc-std.org for accurate information on sexual health and links to reliable, trusted, health resources and a listing of local sites that provide testing for STIs.

For more information contact:Frank Kruppa or Theresa Lyczko at 274-6600

Sexual Health and STD Prevention are Focus of Collaboration

(ITHACA, N.Y., September 5, 2014) — The Peace of Mind (POM) Community Partnership renewed its campaign to promote sexual health and to prevent sexually transmitted disease (STD) as a result of the increase in syphilis cases this past spring in the Central New York (CNY) region including Tompkins County.

Between January and June 2014, there were five cases of syphilis in Tompkins County identified in men ages 22 to 55 who reported having sex with men. Some of these cases were co-infected with other STDs. Most of the encounters were anonymous and were arranged through mobile dating apps. In comparison from 2009 to 2013, there have been on average 1 to 3 cases per year in Tompkins County. In the 14 county CNY region, preliminary New York State Department of Health data indicate there were approximately 60 cases of early syphilis in 2013. In the first half 2014 there have been approximately 30 cases.

POM’s new website: www.tc-std.org provides accurate information on sexual health and links to reliable, trusted, health resources. It also includes a listing of local sites that provide testing for syphilis, other STDs and HIV. The new website is formatted for smart phones for easy access to reliable information. The POM slogan – “Never underestimate the value of Peace of Mind,” encourages individuals to avoid risky sexual behavior and to get tested for STDs.

Members of the partnership include the Tompkins County Health Department, Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes, Gannett Health Services at Cornell University, Hammond Health Center at Ithaca College, Southern Tier AIDS Program, and health services at TC3.

POM partnership urges everyone – men and women - to take precautions and to avoid risky sexual behavior. Along with syphilis, unprotected sex increases exposure to other sexually transmitted diseases including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV.

POM strongly recommends that anyone who suspects that they may be at risk for STDs be tested so that they can receive timely treatment, prevent further spread of STD and for their own Peace of Mind.

Health Alert: Syphilis Increase in Tompkins County and Central New York Region

(ITHACA, N.Y., May 7, 2014) — Tompkins County Health Department is reporting an increase in early syphilis cases since the beginning of 2014 in the Central New York (CNY) fourteen county region, which includes Tompkins County.

Preliminary New York State Department of Health data indicate there were approximately 60 cases of early syphilis in the CNY region in 2013. In the first four months of 2014 there have been approximately 30 cases, five of them in Tompkins County. In the past five years from 2009 to 2013, there have been on average 4 cases per year in Tompkins County identified in men reporting having sex with men. Most of these encounters have been anonymous and were arranged through internet hook-ups and dating phone apps.

The Tompkins County Health Department urges everyone — men and women — to take precautions and to avoid risky sexual behavior. Along with syphilis, unprotected sex increases exposure to other sexually transmitted infections (STI) including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a bacterium. It is passed from person to person through direct contact mainly during vaginal, anal or oral sex. A classic sign of early syphilis is a painless sore located anywhere on the body. During the second phase of syphilis, a non-itchy body rash can occur, quite often on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. A person could also be infected with syphilis and have very mild symptoms or none at all.

Syphilis is treatable and curable with antibiotic medication. If someone has had or believes that their partner has had anonymous sexual activity, they may have been exposed and should get tested for STI’s including syphilis and HIV as soon as possible.